The New Jersey Devils have secured one of their key players for the next two years, as they announced on Tuesday that they have re-signed right wing Nate Bastian to a two-year contract worth $1.65 million. The deal has an annual average value of $825,000 and will keep Bastian with the Devils through the 2022-23 season.
Bastian, 25, was a second-round pick by the Devils in the 2016 NHL Draft and has developed into a reliable and versatile forward who can play on any line and in any situation. He led the team in hits with 136 in the 2020-21 season, while also contributing 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 41 games. He also played in all five playoff games against the Boston Bruins, scoring one goal.
Bastian said he was happy to stay with the Devils and continue to grow as a player and a person.
“I’m super excited to be back,” he said. “I love playing here, I love the guys, I love the staff, I love the fans. It’s a great place to play hockey and I’m just really grateful for the opportunity.”
He also said he still has a lot to prove in the NHL and wants to help the Devils reach their goals.
“I still feel like I have a lot to prove in this league,” he said. “I want to be a guy that can play up and down the lineup, play in different roles, be hard to play against, be physical, be responsible defensively, chip in offensively. I just want to be a guy that can help this team win.”
Nate Bastian Exit Interview | NEW JERSEY DEVILS: Nate Bastian speaks to the media at the end of the season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch/bAnslyS2oIY
Bastian is Available | Devils Minute: Nathan Bastian is available, the Devils are looking to sweep the road trip, and the power play is looking for some improvements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch/nUpeGlSe8Pg
Devils’ Nathan Bastian Chips One Over Frederik Andersen For First NHL Goal: Watch as New Jersey Devils winger Nathan Bastian scores a sweet goal to put them on the board on just their second shot of the game against the Hurricanes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch/T-9p0UwB-Q8The Devils are also happy to have Bastian back, as they see him as a valuable piece of their young and talented core. General manager Tom Fitzgerald praised Bastian’s work ethic, character and potential.
“Nate is a big, physical winger who adds size and grit to our lineup,” Fitzgerald said. “He skates well, has good hands and plays with an edge. He’s also a great teammate and a leader in our locker room. We’re excited to have him back for two more years.”
The deal is also a win for both sides financially, as it gives Bastian some security and stability while also being affordable and flexible for the Devils. Bastian will earn $775,000 in 2021-22 and $875,000 in 2022-23, which is well below the average salary for an NHL forward. The contract also does not include any signing bonuses or performance bonuses, which makes it easier to trade or buy out if needed.
The contract also leaves enough cap space for the Devils to pursue other free agents or trades this offseason, as they have over $37 million in projected cap space according to CapFriendly.com. The Devils have several other restricted free agents to sign, such as Pavel Zacha, Janne Kuokkanen, Yegor Sharangovich and Michael McLeod, as well as some unrestricted free agents such as Ryan Murray, Connor Carrick and Scott Wedgewood.
The Devils are looking to improve their roster and take the next step in their rebuild after missing the playoffs for the third straight year. They finished seventh in the East Division with a 19-30-7 record and scored the fewest goals in the league with 145. They also ranked 29th in goals against with 209 and 27th in power-play percentage with 14.2%.
However, they also showed some signs of promise and potential with their young stars such as Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Ty Smith and Mackenzie Blackwood. They also have several prospects who could make an impact next season, such as Alexander Holtz, Dawson Mercer, Nolan Foote and Kevin Bahl.
With Bastian back in the fold, the Devils have one less thing to worry about this offseason and one more reason to be optimistic about their future.
FAQ
Devils lock up Nate Bastian for two seasons: Why this move is a win for both sides
The New Jersey Devils have secured one of their key players for the next two years, as they announced on Tuesday that they have re-signed right wing Nate Bastian to a two-year contract worth $1.65 million. The deal has an annual average value of $825,000 and will keep Bastian with the Devils through the 2022-23 season.
Bastian, 25, was a second-round pick by the Devils in the 2016 NHL Draft and has developed into a reliable and versatile forward who can play on any line and in any situation. He led the team in hits with 136 in the 2020-21 season, while also contributing 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 41 games. He also played in all five playoff games against the Boston Bruins, scoring one goal.
Bastian said he was happy to stay with the Devils and continue to grow as a player and a person.
“I’m super excited to be back,” he said. “I love playing here, I love the guys, I love the staff, I love the fans. It’s a great place to play hockey and I’m just really grateful for the opportunity.”
He also said he still has a lot to prove in the NHL and wants to help the Devils reach their goals.
“I still feel like I have a lot to prove in this league,” he said. “I want to be a guy that can play up and down the lineup, play in different roles, be hard to play against, be physical, be responsible defensively, chip in offensively. I just want to be a guy that can help this team win.”
The Devils are also happy to have Bastian back, as they see him as a valuable piece of their young and talented core. General manager Tom Fitzgerald praised Bastian’s work ethic, character and potential.
“Nate is a big, physical winger who adds size and grit to our lineup,” Fitzgerald said. “He skates well, has good hands and plays with an edge. He’s also a great teammate and a leader in our locker room. We’re excited to have him back for two more years.”
The deal is also a win for both sides financially, as it gives Bastian some security and stability while also being affordable and flexible for the Devils. Bastian will earn $775,000 in 2021-22 and $875,000 in 2022-23, which is well below the average salary for an NHL forward. The contract also does not include any signing bonuses or performance bonuses, which makes it easier to trade or buy out if needed.
The contract also leaves enough cap space for the Devils to pursue other free agents or trades this offseason, as they have over $37 million in projected cap space according to CapFriendly.com. The Devils have several other restricted free agents to sign, such as Pavel Zacha, Janne Kuokkanen, Yegor Sharangovich and Michael McLeod, as well as some unrestricted free agents such as Ryan Murray, Connor Carrick and Scott Wedgewood.
The Devils are looking to improve their roster and take the next step in their rebuild after missing the playoffs for the third straight year. They finished seventh in the East Division with a 19-30-7 record and scored the fewest goals in the league with 145. They also ranked 29th in goals against with 209 and 27th in power-play percentage with 14.2%.
However, they also showed some signs of promise and potential with their young stars such as Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Ty Smith and Mackenzie Blackwood. They also have several prospects who could make an impact next season, such as Alexander Holtz, Dawson Mercer, Nolan Foote and Kevin Bahl.
With Bastian back in the fold, the Devils have one less thing to worry about this offseason and one more reason to be optimistic about their future.
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who is Nate Bastian? | Nate Bastian is a right wing who plays for the New Jersey Devils. He was drafted by the Devils in the second round (41st overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft. He is 25 years old and was born in Kitchener, Ontario. |
| How much does Nate Bastian make? | Nate Bastian signed a two-year contract with the Devils worth $1.65 million on June 15, 2021. The deal has an annual average value of $825,000 and will keep him with the Devils through the 2022-23 season. |
| What are Nate Bastian’s strengths? | Nate Bastian is a big, physical winger who adds size and grit to the Devils’ lineup. He skates well, has good hands and plays with an edge. He is also a versatile player who can play on any line and in any situation. He led the team in hits with 136 in the 2020-21 season, while also contributing 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 41 games. |
| What are Nate Bastian’s weaknesses? | Nate Bastian is not a prolific scorer or a flashy player. He has 18 points (12 goals, six assists) in 72 career NHL games. He also needs to work on his consistency and his discipline, as he can sometimes take unnecessary penalties or make costly mistakes. |
| How does Nate Bastian fit with the Devils? | Nate Bastian fits well with the Devils’ style of play and their culture. He is a hard-working, team-first player who brings energy and toughness to the ice. He is also a great teammate and a leader in the locker room. He is part of the Devils’ young and talented core that is looking to improve and compete for the playoffs. |
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